New retail developments, health facility coming to Madison Heights

By
Andrew Kidd, The Oakland Press

Sunday, September 22, 2013

A handful of new construction projects are popping up in Madison Heights, dotting the area around Oakland Mall.Two retail units containing a Jersey Mike’s Subs and a Chipotle Mexican Grill are under construction on 14 Mile Road near John R Road. In the same plaza, there will be an undisclosed healthcare facility, as well, according to Madison Heights Economic Development Coordinator Linda Williams.Another sub sandwich place, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, will be opening in the location of the former Waldenbooks on John R Road, just south of 14 Mile in the Target plaza. A T-Mobile store will occupy the opposite end cap.The Ann Arbor-based Waldenbooks chain, a subsidiary of the Borders Group, was liquidated in bankruptcy filings in 2011.A mattress store will be located at 361 W. 14 Mile Road, next to Grand Azteca.New to the area will be Planet Rock, a 20,000-square-foot facility that will feature a 50-foot climbing wall and retail space for apparel and climbing equipment. The facility will be at 1103 W. 13 Mile Road.The owner of this facility, Nick Cocciolone, has two similar establishments in Pontiac and Ann Arbor. Cocciolone said he intends to shut down the Pontiac location, 34 Rapid St. off Woodward Avenue, a couple months after the Madison Heights location opens.Williams said the new developments are indicative of a general rebound in economic interest on the I-75 corridor and the surrounding area.“For the most part, the confidence is coming back,” she said. “The banks are lending again and all these little factors are contributing to what we’re seeing today, which is a tick in new development or redevelopment.”Like a number of other communities in southeast Michigan facing similar issues, Madison Heights is a fully built-out community and contains little green space for new development, Williams said.“The new developments you’re seeing are redevelopments,” she said. “The new construction is either a tear-down, or in the case of the new Jimmy John’s, it used to be the old Waldenbooks store. It’s just being cleaned out and updated for new tenants.”Williams added that the site of the former Big Fish Seafood Bistro, 1111 W. 14 Mile Road, could see a possible tear-down redevelopment in the near future, but she could not release additional details.Another restaurant in the area — Marinelli’s — shut down last month after 18 years in business. A message announcing the closure was posted to the restaurant’s Facebook page on Aug. 31. It read: “For 18 years, we came to work at Marinelli’s in Madison Heights. We loved serving all of our customers with care and dedication. Sadly, all good things sometimes have to end. We closed our doors on Aug. 30 for the last time. We will never forget all the special people along the way who came to eat and drink with us. Thank you to our employees, current and past. We appreciate you all!”Williams said the restaurant’s location at 611 W. 12 Mile Road could see redevelopment in the near future.